Bhubaneswar: Private hospitals across Odisha have expressed their concern over implementation of the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the state-run Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), citing a slew of operational and financial issues.
The entrepreneurs and CEOs from private and corporate hospitals held an emergency meeting at the Indian Medical Association (IMA Institute), Bhubaneswar, on Thursday, to address growing concerns over the implementation of these flagship health schemes.
The private healthcare providers said that they face grave difficulties in software, procedural troubles and very low rates for orthopedics, neurosurgery, and cardiac procedures.
Secretary of All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) Dr Indramani Jena said that all stakeholders unanimously expressed concern over the inefficient patient registration system. “One of the core grievances raised during the meeting was the low reimbursement rates for critical treatments and surgical procedures. The number of life-saving implants in orthopedics, neurosurgery, and gynecology departments remains negligible. While the base cost of a pacemaker is no less than Rs 1.5 lakh, Ayushman Bharat only offers Rs 75,000,” he said.
Hospital representatives also informed about the administrative burdens involved, such as the requirement to upload numerous documents, photographs, and reports.
They have urged the government to take immediate corrective measures. “If these matters are not addressed within the next 15 days, they will unanimously withdraw themselves from the scheme,” Dr Jena added.
Meanwhile, Odisha Government Combined Employees’ Association submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling and the chief secretary, seeking implementation of the central scheme for the government employees of Odisha. The association has threatened mass dharna from panchayat to state-level if the demand is not fulfilled within a month.
On April 12 Union Health Minister J P Nadda launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha, along with the Ayushman Vaya-Vandana Yojana and the state-run Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY). The scheme was adopted by Odisha six years after it was launched by the Centre and implemented in other states.
A total of 3.4 crore people belonging to 1.03 crore families in the state would benefit from this scheme. Each family will get an insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh, with additional Rs 5 lakh for women members. These beneficiaries can get cashless healthcare services in 29,000 empanelled hospitals all over the country.
